Stork Prints wins award for EcoSleeve concept

EcoSleeve was introduced to the European market at drupa, and to the North American market at Labelexpo.

10.02.12

The packaging industry came together on September 19 and 20 for the annual PGLA (Packaging & Label Gravure Association) meeting in Hiltons’ Double Tree in Charlotte, NC, USA. This year’s theme, The Rebirth of Gravure: Value in Process, Profiting from Potential, proved to stimulate engaging interaction and discussion throughout the conference.

The debut of "The Lion's Den" showcased new innovation where contestants were to present a product, service or approach that sets them sets them apart in Gravure. Judged by the "Lions," a panel of industry experts, contenders were confronted with some searching and challenging questions. Six contestants faced the Lions introducing electro static assist, a multiple cylinder wash-up system, ceramic cylinders, automated carton blanks handling and a digital strobe inspection. The survivor and recipient of the "Lion's Den Pride's Share Award" was Stork Prints, for their EcoSleeve, an engravable nickel sleeve system.

Chuck Reese, President SGS International congratulated Stork Prints America’s Managing Director Edward Scheppink and commented that this example of innovative thinking is representative of the many ideas that are being developed for the future of Gravure. Mr. Edward Scheppink says: “Winning this important Award in Gravure Printing for our relatively new EcoSleeves concept, gives a major boost to our confidence that this is the solution gravure printers have been waiting for all along!”

Stork Prints has developed the EcoSleeve, a concept for gravure printing which consists of a nickel surfaced sleeve and complimentary adapter. The adapter is a lightweight bridge between an air-mandrel and the sleeve. The nickel-surfaced sleeve is the image carrier and is ready to engrave upon delivery. Stork Prints has developed this concept to cater to the ever changing gravure printing demands of shorter run times, more complex designs, and eco-friendly solutions. The EcoSleeve concept is said to be the game changer in gravure printing. The EcoSleeve was introduced at drupa in May for the European market and at Labelexpo in September for the North American market.